Knockdown coop.



P. W. ROMANS.

KNOOKDOWN COOP.

APPLICATION FILED 11 11.4, 1911.

Patented M31124, 1914.

2 SHEETSSHEET 1.

F. W. ROMANS.

KNOCKDOWN COOP.

APPLICATION TILED APRA, 1911 1,091,391. Patented Mar. 24, 1914.

2 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

Suva/W601 SHIN/"C11 COLUMBIA PLANOGRAPH CO.,WA$MINGTON D c FURMAN W. ROMANS, OF BALTIMORE, MARYLAND.

KNOCKDOWN COOP.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Mar. 2 1, 1914.

Application filed April 4, 1911. Serial No. 618,858.

To all whom it may concern Be it known that I, FURMAN V. Romans, a citizen of the United States, residing at Baltimore, in the State of Maryland, have invented new and useful Improvements in Knockdown Coops, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to knock-clown coops or receptacles, the same being designed particularly for shipping purposes, the object of the invention being to provide means whereby the walls of the coop can be readily folded on each other so that all of the walls will be arranged parallel with respect to each other, thereby enabling the structure to be readily arranged in a very compact package for shipment or storage.

In the drawings, forming a portion of this specification and in which like numerals of reference indicate similar parts in the several views :Figure 1 is a perspective view of my improved coop. Fig. 2 is an end view thereof showing the same partly folded. Fig. 3 is a similar view showing the coop in its full folded position. Fig. at is a transverse section through the coop. Fig. 5 is a longitudinal section therethrough, the end walls be ing folded up to lie against the underside of the top wall. Fig. 6 is an enlarged detail sectional view through the latch member.

The coop comprises a bottom 1, side walls 2, a top 3, and end walls 4. Each side wall is formed of substantially identically constructed sections 5 and 6, each including parallel bars 7 and vertical bars 8, the parallel bars being connected with each other by the vertical bars and by the wire rods 9. The rods 9 are suitably spaced apart so as to allow for a perfect ventilation of the coop. The upper longitudinal bar of the lower section 6 is wholly in contact with the lower longitudinal bar of the upper section 5, being hingedly connected with each other exteriorly of the coop, at 10, so that the sections can be folded inwardly and in parallel relation with respect to the bottom 1. The longitudinal bottom bar of each lower section is hinged interiorly, at 11, to the bottom 1. The upper longitudinal bar on the upper section of each side wall is hinged interiorly to a depending longitudinal cleat 13 on the underside of the top wall 3, the thickness of the cleat being the same as that of the end walls 4.

The end walls each include upper and lower bars 1% and 15 and vertical connecting bars 16. Vire rods 17 similar to the rods 9 hereinbefore described are suitably spaced apart and connected with the bars lat and 15, as shown. The end walls 4 are interiorly hinged at their upper ends, at 18, to the underside of the top 3 near the ends thereof.

The vertical bars of the end walls are provided with pivoted hooks 19 which are designed to engage in eyes 20 at the ends of the lower sections of the side walls when the coop is in its set-up position. This holds the end and side walls against relative movements. Each end wall is provided with a latch member 21 which includes a casing 22 mounted in the bar 15 of the end wall. The casing is provided with a large bore 23 and a. small bore 24. A latch bar 25 is movablein the bores of the casing, and as shown, the bar is provided at one end with a keeper-engaging portion 26 designed to engage the keeper 27 in the bottom 1. At the opposite end, the latch bar is provided with a ma nipulating knob 28. A coil extensile spring 29 is located in the large bore 23 of the easing, being confined between the large end 26 of the latch bar and the shoulder 30 of the casing. This latch member in addition with the hereinbefore described hooks 19 is an additional means for holding the walls of the coop perfectly rigid when the coop is in its set-up position. The bottom bar of one end wall is provided with a passage 31 which is located in line with the keeperengaging portion 26 on the adjacent end wall when the end walls are folded to the position shown in Fig. 5 of the drawings, being adapted to engage in the passage so as to hold the end walls rigidly connected with each other and securely confined against the underside of the top wall. In this construction the end walls may be securely connected with each other so as to not interfere with the folding of the side walls when it is desired to fold the coop for shipment or storage.

The top 3 preferably includes longitudinal bars 32 and 33, end bars 3st and 35 and an intermediate bar 36, the latter having hingedly connected thereto, at 37, a door 38. The end bar 35 of the top wall is formed with a longitudinal shoulder 39 which fits in the rabbeted portion 10 of the cover when the latter is closed. A suitable fastening device 41 is employed for holding the cover in its closed position.

In folding the coop for shipment or storage, the latch members 21 are released from the bottom 1. The end walls are then folded upwardly so as to lie against the underside of the top wall and between the longitudi nal cleats 13 of the top wall. After the end walls are folded, as just described, the sections of the side walls are folded on each other, as shown in Figs. 2 and 3 of the drawings. From this construction it will be readily understood that all of the walls of the coop can be readily arranged in parallel relation with respect to each other so that when the coop is folded it will occupy very small floor space.

I claim:

The combination with a folding crate,

end walls hinged at their upper edge to the under side of the top and adapted to be folded against the under side thereof, of means projecting below the lower bar of one of the said end walls and adapted to engage the bottom of said crate to retain the same in set up position and said means engaging the lower bar of the other of said ends when folded to lock said ends in folded position under said top to facilitate the folding of the crate.

In testimony whereof I afliX my signature in presence of two witnesses.

FURMAN W. R'OMANS. Witnesses:

BENJ H. RoMANs, GERTRUDE E. DAMES.

Copies of this patent may be obtained for five cents each, by addressing the Commissioner of latents, Washington, D. G. 

